UK landline alert as 79 new locations face switch off - is your postcode on the list?

Many might not like it but the move away from ageing copper cables and the switch to digital continues to pick up pace. This update is aimed at making the UK's online infrastructure more robust along with improving broadband speeds - copper cables simply can't keep pace with the needs of modern homes.

A number of areas across Britain have already moved away from traditional copper-based phone and broadband services. Now it's been confirmed that another 79 locations will be faced with a switch over next year.

The update, which has been announced by BT-owned Openreach, basically means suppliers such as BT, Sky and TalkTalk will no longer be able to offer legacy copper contracts to customers. This is called "Stop Sell" alert comes into force when a majority (75%) of premises in a specific area can get ultrafast Full Fibre installed.

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Full Fibre brings fast speeds right into the home which means users can get downloads that are far superior to copper.

It all sounds good but there is one slight sticking point as once the change happens, old landline phones will no longer work with homes needing to switch to digital voice technology instead.

about older UK residents who might not have - or want - access to the web whilst others have been concerned by what happens should the internet go offline and they have no access to a smartphone.

BT and other firms are working to address the issues of losing copper connections with it now hoped that the majority of UK homes will be moved to Digital Voice by 2027.

It's also worth noting that Openreach says customers not yet able to get Ultrafast Full Fibre at their premises won't be impacted and can stay on their existing copper-based service until Full Fibre becomes available.

If you want to know what service is available in your road you can visit the to see if things have been upgraded.

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The 79 new locations with "Stop sell" alerts from next year.

Collingham • Sheffield • Mexborough • Chesterfield • Burnham-on-Sea • Bridgnorth • Bury St Edmunds • Caersws • Taverham • Hartlepool • Machynlleth • Pocklington

Riccall • Rowhedge • Shepton Mallet • Antrim • Gatehouse of Fleet • Bladnoch • Powfoot • Bobbington • Buchlyvie • Brig o'Turk • Pierowall • Medbourne • Newport Pagnell

Carlton (Gedling) • Eastleigh • Abermule • Yarrowford • Cunningsburgh • Weston-Super-Mare • Shotts • Whitstable • Airdrie • Liverpool • Jarrow • Bootle • Great Wyrley • Codsall • Dewsbury

Kempston • Kings Norton • Birmingham • Market Harborough • St Helens • Runcorn • Stafford • Wantage • West Bromwich • South Hampshire • Sheffield • Barrow-in-Furness • Llay • Swansea • Rawtenstall

Ellon • Swindon (Wiltshire) • Antrim • Londonderry • Tyrone • Greater London - Richmond upon Thames • Royal Tunbridge Wells • Redcar • Scarborough • Tewkesbury • Norwich • Wrexham • Ibstock

Aldridge • Pontefract • Great Bridgeford • St Helens • West Bromwich • Greater Manchester - Bolton • Brigg • Lowestoft • Dorchester (West Dorset) • Cowes • Haywards Heath • Penzance

“We’re moving to a digital and Openreach is helping with that transformation by rolling out ultrafast, ultra-reliable, and future-proofed digital Full Fibre across the UK," said James Lilley, Openreach’s Managed Customer Migrations Manager.

"This game changing technology will become the backbone of our economy for decades to come, supporting every aspect of our public services, businesses, industries and daily lives.

“Already, our Full Fibre network is available to more than 15 million homes and businesses, with more than five million premises currently taking a service.

"As copper’s ability to support modern communications declines, the immediate focus is getting people onto newer, future proofed technologies.”